Flexibility exercises? page

[Shelli]

Seeking advice....I am in the middle of getting an autoimmune condition diagnosis - most probable culprit judging from how I'm feeling...will probably be rhuematoid arthritis. Right now I do a lot of walking and that's about it. I have a FitBit and most days do 10000 steps, some days more. I have a set of resistance bands calling my name. I'm troubled by overall stiffness and vague joint pain. I'm only 49 and should NOT be feeling like this. Husband suggested tai chi and yoga. I'm open to all suggestions and advice.

[eKatherine]

I have always been a flexibility buff, at least when I exercise. I can't give you any advice specific to your condition, but I think everybody should flex regularly. YouTube is a great resource to explore possibilities and techniques.

[jfreaksho]

If you have something specific you are looking for, MobilityWOD is a great resource, if a little unorganized.

[Shelli]

If you have something specific you are looking for, MobilityWOD is a great resource, if a little unorganized.

That's alright, I am unorganised too. :/

Thanks for the suggestion...gonna check it out.

[CiKi90]

Yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and just regular old stretching when your body feels tight are all great ways to help with flexibility. You can go to Yoga Journal: Yoga Poses, Classes, Meditation, and Life - On and Off the Mat - Namaste and search free videos that might help. You can also try YouTube, that site pretty much has everything. I use both sites regularly and it helps immensely with sore or stiff muscles.

Other things that reallllly help me to feel more flexible are actually not exercises, though. Actually, the consistent use of a steam room, dry sauna, and A fancy massager from Brookstone work wonders for me! Especially the massager... I read an article that sites a scientific study on how the regular use of am electric ,assuaged on sore muscles aided in the regeneration of muscle fibers and sped up recovery time! They also are awesome for females who lift heavy weights because the use of a massager helps to lengthen the muscles instead of bulk them up.

[Glenview]

I went on the GAPS diet for suspected food intolerance and my joint pain went away. I continue to use homemade stock or gelatin to help me stay off Advil. Pre-GAPS I used (and still do) the stretches in Pain Free by Pete Egoscue. They were the only thing that got me through long long hours in an office chair. They seem benign, but they really helped me to get rid of chronic muscle spasms and tightness.

[Shelli]

Thanks Cierra and Glenview...I will check all those resources!

I've been researching diet changes too. I'm thinking of going completely gluten free, and also nightshade free. It's taking so long to get in to see the specialist, I might as well be proactive.

[LauraSB]

Prior to cutting out gluten and processed foods, I was sure I had developed rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia, or something, because I was so stiff and achey all the time. I was also 49 and felt like an old woman. I have no idea what exactly I was eating that made me feel like crap, but after 6 months of eating better (and not obsessively better) I am *feeling* much better.

I recently started taking yoga and can tell that it is helping the residual stiffness in my hips. Some classes/instructors seem to be more effective than others. There is one hot vinyasa flow class at my local studio that leaves me feeling amazing. Again, I'm not sure if it's the flexibility training or the body weight exercise that is strengthening my core muscles. Maybe it's a combination.

[Richard Seekins]

I can't comment on your condition but can't see why gentle Yoga would be a problem. I'v recently started doing it since advice from my physio. I have a niggling back problem that is due to years of bad posture etc. The Physio says simply there is no poing be strong and fit etc if your not mobile in later life.

[johnsmith8182]

In this case my advise is to do the exercise daily and i think you will become good earlier.